Architecture for Humanity - New York

Started as a soup kitchen in 1981, Broadway Community Inc. (BCI) provides multiple homeless outreach services from the basement of Broadway Presbyterian Church in Morningside Heights. AFHny's project included the design of an area to provide mental health and medical referrals to clients, and additional storage for the women's shelter.

home - A dwelling-place, house, abode; the fixed residence of a family or household; the seat of domestic life and interests; one’s own house; the dwelling in which one habitually lives, or which one regards as one’s proper abode. Sometimes including the members of a family collectively; the home-circle or household.

less - Of not so great size, extent, or degree (as something mentioned or implied); of inferior dimensions, bulk, duration, etc.; smaller. Of smaller quantity or amount; not so much. Opposed to more.

The AFHny team designed and constructed counseling unit partitions to provide the Social Work team with privacy. Materials: reclaimed wood doors, clad in copper flashing, blackboard + magnetic paint, and cork.

» See photos of BCI Phase One!

The medical facility within the BCI space is operated by Care for the Homeless (CFH), a non-profit which provides medical services to at-risk populations. In 2007, Care for the Homeless received a small grant from the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services to renovate their 500 square foot space.

The grant was not large, but the AFHny team worked to maximuize CFH's restricted budget. The team provided a design for the renovation, and paired with a local contractor G.O. Construction Corporation to complete the project’s construction. Through creative thinking and the generous donation of time, services and materials, the renovation came in on time and on budget.

The project was too small to consider LEED certification, but AFHny worked to create a design process which fostered new relationships between the nonprofit clients and the local building community. Each team member brought an expertise to the process which made the project possible. It is this collaboration which best embodies the spirit of sustainability AFH pursues in providing architectural solutions to communities in need. The resulting renovation supports the belief that when resources are scarce, innovative, sustainable and collaborative design can make a difference.

The renovation was made possible by the donation of time, services and material by people and organizations including, but not limited to: 3-Form (Ecoresin Doors), Hafele (Door + Cabinet Hardware), Bettencourt Green Building Supplies (AFM Safecoat Paint + Bonded Logic Denim Insulation), Evans+Paul (Corian, Fabrication), Elkay (Sink + Faucet), Gateway (Plumbing Services), The Door Stop (Door Frames) and Aura Lighting (Lighting).

» See photos of BCI Phase Two!